Today we drive just one state over to our neighbor, Arkansas, where Rebekah from The Golden Gleam takes us on a trip to the historic Hot Springs.
Discover, explore, and play at the Mid-America Science Museum. Almost all the exhibits are interactive at this hands on science museum, and I think that older preschoolers through elementary aged children would have the most fun here. We almost skipped it because we thought it would be another children’s museum with the same exhibits. A rainy day forced us to change our plans, and we were so grateful for the bad weather. The exhibits were different than any other children’s museum we have been to.
Our daughter was the tour guide on a walk through downtown Hot Springs. Along the way we discovered the renowned hot spring water fountains (pictured above) that bring fame to this small tourist town. She was enchanted with dipping her hands in the warm water. I wasn’t sure our preschooler would be interested in touring the historic Fordyce Bathouse, but she was game. The old baths and spa contraptions intrigued her. Quite a bit different than our tubs at home!
We were fortunate to be visiting during the holiday season, and we meandered through the Christmas Lights Festival at Garvan Woodland Gardens. This tour of lights was breathtaking under the backdrop of the beautiful gardens. These gardens offer breathtaking beauty anytime of year.
Most moms enjoy pampering, and a trip to Hot Springs is incomplete without a spa treatment. Buckstaff Bathhouse is a spa with natural hot springs water operated by the national parks. It’s not a luxurious setting, and it looks like a high school locker room. It was aged, but the staff and treatments were impeccable, and I relished the experience of a historic spa bath. And it’s probably the best bargain around for spa treatments. If you want a more upscale experience, I have read good things about the Quapaw Baths and Spa.
Thank you so much for featuring our road trip. =) I will be sharing this during the weekend!